Optochemical Sensor Element with Regenerable Singlet Oxygen Scavenger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optochemical sensors face degenerative aging of the sensitive layer and luminescence indicator due to high-intensity irradiation, leading to signal drift and instability over time, primarily caused by reactions with singlet oxygen, which existing additives may also influence photophysical properties.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating scavenger units that react with singlet oxygen to form stable compounds, which can be regenerated thermally, photochemically, or through pressure changes, thereby controlling singlet oxygen levels and minimizing its impact on the luminescence indicator, allowing for stable sensor operation over extended periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-intensity irradiation is used to improve signal quality, then measurement precision is improved, but the luminescence indicator undergoes photo-induced aging and signal stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidsignal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a singlet oxygen scavenger as an intermediary substance that selectively reacts with singlet oxygen to form a stable reaction product. This mediator protects the luminescence indicator from direct reaction with singlet oxygen, thereby preventing photo-induced aging while allowing high-intensity irradiation to continue for improved signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of singlet oxygen (which causes indicator degradation) into a beneficial process by having the scavenger selectively react with it. The singlet oxygen that would otherwise damage the indicator is instead channeled into a controlled reaction with the scavenger, forming a stable product that does not interfere with sensor function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If singlet oxygen scavengers are added to protect the luminescence indicator, then signal stability is improved, but the scavengers may influence photophysical properties and measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal stabilityVSAvoidmeasurement signal accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the scavenger's protective function localized to where singlet oxygen is generated (near the luminescence indicator), while maintaining the bulk properties of the sensitive layer unchanged. The scavenger is distributed throughout the matrix to provide localized protection without altering overall sensor characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent carefully selects and optimizes the concentration and type of scavenger to achieve the desired balance between protection and minimal interference. By adjusting scavenger parameters (concentration, molecular structure), the system achieves adequate singlet oxygen quenching while maintaining acceptable photophysical properties for accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the sensor is operated for long periods to improve productivity, then output is improved, but the sensitive layer undergoes degenerative aging and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoidsensor stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading the sensitive layer with singlet oxygen scavengers before the sensor begins operation. These scavengers are positioned in advance to immediately neutralize singlet oxygen as it forms during irradiation, preventing cumulative degradation effects that would otherwise occur during extended operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system provides self-service through the scavenger's automatic reaction with singlet oxygen without requiring external intervention. The scavenger continuously protects the indicator during operation, and the system can be regenerated by simple thermal or photochemical treatment that releases the bound singlet oxygen from the scavenger.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If additives are used to deactivate singlet oxygen, then signal stability is improved, but the additives become depleted over time and cause sensor drift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal stabilityVSAvoidadditive lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements discarding and recovering by allowing the scavenger to bind singlet oxygen during operation (temporary discarding of active scavenger), then regenerating the scavenger through thermal or photochemical treatment that releases the bound oxygen. This cycle can repeat multiple times, extending the effective lifetime of the scavenger far beyond what would be possible with irreversible consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies periodic action through cyclic regeneration of the scavenger. Between measurement periods or at scheduled intervals, the sensor undergoes a regeneration phase (thermal or photochemical treatment) that restores the scavenger's capacity to bind singlet oxygen, creating a repeating cycle of use and recovery that extends operational life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The regenerable scavenger units effectively bind and release singlet oxygen, maintaining low concentrations and reducing chemical changes in the luminescence indicator, thus minimizing aging and maintaining signal stability and accuracy over time.

Implementation Method 1

scavenger units to deactivate singlet oxygen, forming a chemical reaction product by reacting with singlet oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction with singlet oxygen: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

The luminescence of the luminescence indicator is doused (quenched) by the analyte contained in the measuring medium, for example, oxygen. Thus, luminescence intensity and luminescence decay time decrease with increasing concentration of the analyte.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLuminescence excitation: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 3

wherein the scavenger units are selected to be recovered by a decomposition reaction induced thermally, photochemically or by a pressure increase of the chemical reaction product formed by the reaction with singlet oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Thermolysis

Implementation Method 4

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochemical decomposition: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-induced decomposition: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20240210368A1Sensor element for an optochemical sensor

Publication Date: 2024.06.27 ENDRESS HAUSER CONDUCTA GMBH CO KG

AI summary

A sensor element for an optochemical sensor includes: a luminescence indicator, whose luminescence can be quenched with oxygen; and scavenger units to deactivate singlet oxygen, forming a chemical reaction product by reacting with singlet oxygen, wherein the scavenger units are selected to be recovered by a decomposition reaction induced thermally, photochemically or by a pressure increase of the chemical reaction product formed by the reaction with singlet oxygen.